Homeland Security

Posted: Tue 5:50 PM, Mar 16, 2004&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Tue 5:50 PM, Mar 16, 2004

The mobilization of the new system came with renewed concern about terrorist attacks following the bombings in Spain

A new guard post sits outside the state capitol. Security is as tight as ever. Still, students with a gripe were able to get close to the governor as he finished a news conference. The news conference was to announce a new, real time, secure alert system between the states and federal government.

"The second phase will enable us to share classified information up to the secret level by the end of the year," says Frank Libutti, Homeland Security Secretary.

On the screen at the demonstration, the topic all security experts are concerned about these days was the bombings in Madrid.

"It is a very large concern, I think anytime we are going to do elections at this point in time from this point forward because of an ability to perhaps apparently change the outcome of an election," says Steve Lauer, Florida Homeland Security Chief.

But concerns are rising over the success the bombings had in changing the outcome of the Spanish election. The government in power was favored to win until its lack luster response.

With our own election on the horizon, Gov. Jeb Bush says Florida is ready in any case.

"I don't think that changes anything here. I don't think they want my brother to be reelected, but they are not going to make that decision," Gov. Bush says.

But the failure of intelligence in Spain is causing security experts here to take another look at systems. They clearly don't want Florida known for another type of election disaster this time around.

Federal officials have repeatedly cited Florida as one of the states that has done the most to prepare for any future terrorist attacks.

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